Tea the Most Common Caffeine Booster
Tea is one of the oldest, versatile and most widely consumed beverages in the world. There are thousands of different types of tea, yet the basic process of how it is produced remains largely the same. Learn how tea grows and is harvested so you can enjoy every sip of your favorite brew.
The Growing Cycle of Tea
Tea plants are grown in many parts of the world, most commonly in the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. These plantations, typically referred to as tea gardens, grow with the help of plenty of sunlight and a moist climate. After a tea seed is planted, it takes about three years for it to grow into a full-sized tea bush.
Harvesting and Processing Tea Leaves
Tea leaves must be harvested regularly to ensure that the plant produces quality leaves. Tea bushes are usually harvested three times per year with the main harvest usually occurring in the spring. Once harvested, the leaves are withered, rolled, oxidized, dried and sorted according to size, flavor and aroma. This processing helps to define the flavor of the tea and determine if it will be a black, oolong, white or green tea.
Enjoying a Cup of Tea
Once the tea leaves have gone through the necessary processing, they are either packed into containers and sold as loose leaf tea or added to tea bags. Loose leaf makes for a more flavorful and robust cup of tea than tea bags, which use broken fragments of leaves. Whichever type of tea you prefer, you can now enjoy a hot cup with a little knowledge of how it’s grown and processed.
Benefits of Drinking Tea
Brewing up a cup of tea has been linked to many benefits, including:
- A boost of caffeine without the jitters
- A healthier alternative to sugary sodas and energy drinks
- Providing antioxidants to help keep your body healthy
- May help with weight loss and improving metabolism
- A variety of flavors and types to select from
Tea is a popular source of caffeine that has stimulated conversations and cultures around the world. With its countless health benefits and subtle flavors, there is no doubt that tea is here to stay. So, the next time you make a cup of tea, you can now appreciate the amazing journey of how it has grown and been processed.
